Six Month Review of My 2026 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 Diesel
I’ve been towing with Chevrolet SUV’s for over a quarter of a century – first a 1999 Tahoe Sport (2 door), then a 2005 Suburban LT, then a 2008 Avalanche, before ultimately returning to a Suburban LT in 2011. While it may seem like a foregone conclusion that I’d end up in a fifth bowtied vehicle, when it came time for a new rid I wasn’t convinced. I looked at the Ford Expedition XL, Toyota Sequoia and a number of trucks before ultimately deciding that another Suburban made the most sense. Unlike my last one, which accumulated only 80,000 or so miles in 15 years, this one was going to become my new “office” and since I intend to keep it as long as possible I wanted to make the right choice.
Ultimately I settled on the Z71 package for looks and performance (I probably also would have considered the RST if that was what was on the lot. With three engine options – each with advantages and disadvantages – it was a major decision. I kept the last one 15 years and babied it, ultimately selling it to my mechanic, and didn’t want to end up with something I’d need to replace in the short term.
I’d be using the vehicle for two primary purposes: traveling to follow the Bassmaster Elite Series and towing a boat. That led me to consider a diesel engine for the first time instead of the two gas-burning choices. When I began my search in earnest at the end of September, I’d narrowed it down to the few 3.0 Duramax diesels on nearby lots.
The Test So Far
I purchased the diesel Suburban in early October, but as I neared retirement I drove it fairly little. That might’ve been because I was busy, but also because I was a bit afraid. When you have a 15 year-old vehicle you worry less than you do with something brand new (at least I do).
When January came around, however, it was time to get rolling. The majority of the 10,000 miles I’ve put on the odometer came since then. Those include driving trips to Chicago (which included a blinding snowstorm), South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina and most recently a 3,400 mile voyage that included stops in Louisville, Oklahoma, Missouri, back to Oklahoma, and then to Arkansas before finally heading home. This week I’m headed back to South Carolina.
In addition to the Illinois snowstorm, I’ve been through near-tornadic conditions in Oklahoma.
I’ve also used the Suburban to tow my Bass Cat Puma STS, not more than two hundred miles round trip, but on everything from highway to dusty gravel roads.
The Baby Diesel
The engine was both the selling point and the greatest source of trepidation. So far I have been more than pleased. It pulls the boat like a champ, and has the low growl of a bigger diesel without being obnoxiously loud. I can feel a difference between it and the 5.3 liter V8 I had before in acceleration from a dead stop as well as on the highway – going from 60-80.
Where it really shines is gas mileage. On the highway, I am consistently getting 24 miles per gallon (my average on the recent Oklahoma trip) and towing the boat I’m getting 16-18, depending on the terrain and speed. That’s per the trip computer, so I expect that it’s accurate. I can’t say how much better it is than my last Suburban (since I never used the trip calculator on that one), but I’d expect it’s at least 30% more efficient, perhaps greater.
That’s good because in case you haven’t noticed, the price of gas has gone up substantially lately. When I went to Alabama in February, I paid between $3.29 and $3.49 per gallon of diesel. Recently, I’ve paid as high as $5.29 (Pro Tip: If you’re in Oklahoma, try to buy your gas on reservations, where the state taxes don’t apply – I paid $4.29 when it was at least $4.69 most other places). On the way back, I paid $4.99 in Virginia.
Those prices might be a wash, or might put me a little bit ahead, except for ancillary expenses. The vehicle requires more DEF than I’d expected. I’ve learned to either get it from Wal-Mart (where it’s about $9 a gallon instead of the $20+ at gas stations) or from the pump at truck stops. Also, my first oil change was a bit of a shocker – about twice as much as it would be for a gas burner. I suspect that in the end the cost to operate the vehicle is about the same or perhaps even a touch higher than a comparable gas engine.
At the same time, there are benefits. First, I get about 600 miles per tank of gas, so I spend much less time refueling and can be more judicious about where I do so. Second, and this remains to be seen, if the engine lasts longer that’s an additional value. Finally, I do appreciate the extra boost when pulling the boat.
The Learning Process
Since my last vehicle was a 2011, this one took some time to learn. It simply has more features than anything else I’ve ever driven. There are buttons and features galore, many of which I probably haven’t discovered yet. Early on, I refused to take the time to learn – and was surprised when my steering wheel suddenly started heating up in October as I’d inadvertently pressed that button. Eventually I read a bit online and watched some YouTube videos to see how to maximize my enjoyment and efficiency. I think that even the most confirmed Luddite can figure it all out.
What I Like About the 2026 Suburban
The engine was my biggest concern and so far I’ve been pleased, but there are other features that have also proven to be big winners:
Storage Capabilities – The third row seats fold down with the touch of a button and somehow this version seems to swallow up more gear than even my 2005 or 2011 Suburbans.
Second Row Captain’s Chairs – I’d always had bench seats, and I probably wouldn’t have chosen them if they’d been available, but there weren’t any Z71s available with them so I reluctantly took one with second row captain’s chairs. So far I love them. I rarely have rear seat passengers, and this configuration opens up lots of storage options. I can stick a cooler in between them, or a rod tube, or a long suitcase. A total win.
Creature Comforts – I’d always been a naysayer about heated seats, heated steering wheels, power rear seats, and so on, but now that I have them I love them. Maybe I’m soft. I don’t care. They make life better.
Phone Integration and Gemini – I’d been able to make calls through my last Suburban, but this one takes it to a whole new level. Not only can I talk-to-text to respond to texts, Facebook messages and so on, but I can even ask Gemini questions. For example, it can provide me a list of upcoming stations on my route that sell diesel. It’s not always 100% accurate, but it’s pretty damn good. Also, the call quality is exceptional.
Z71 Package – I’ve previously proclaimed that I didn’t care about vehicle appearance, just performance. Well, now that I’ve gotten a bunch of compliments on this one, I can see that I was wrong. The Z71 looks badass. I don’t care about the sunroof but Hanna loves it.
What I Don’t Like About the 2026 Suburban
Overall it’s a huge upgrade from my 2011, and some of my gripes may reflect an old man yelling at the clouds, but here are a few dislikes:
Rear Interior – When I load luggage in the far back, if it rubs up against the side it sometimes leaves small scuff marks. Most of them can be removed, but it’s still a pain in the ass. I’m not sure if it’s because the plastic is black (versus light gray on previous vehicles) or some change. I may end up having to get some sort of liner for the sides.
Air Conditioning Aim – The AC blows plenty of cold air when needed, but the large info screen takes up the space where upper vents might otherwise reside. I’m used to starting up my ride on hot days and getting cold air blown in my face. That no longer happens. I have to wait for the lower vents to chill the whole vehicle.
All-Weather Mats – I purchased the interior mats from Chevy (1st, 2nd and 3rd rows, plus cargo area) and they’re not as good as the Weathertech versions we have in other cars. They don’t have the same lip around the edge to contain liquid, tend to get dirty-looking quicker, and the cargo area mats don’t stay in place well.
Rear Backup – There is a feature on this Suburban that brings it to a sudden halt if it senses an object or person behind me as I’m backing up. That’s a good thing. The thing I don’t like is that it’s sometimes oversensitive, stopping me when there’s not a true impediment, and that stop is often quite sudden and jarring.
Overall Satisfaction Level
So far the only issue I’ve had with the vehicle is an oxygen sensor that went bad right off the bat. That was quickly replaced by the dealer under warranty. There have been some complaints about this engine (although not as many as the 6.2 liter V8). It remains to be seen whether it’ll be mechanically sound…fingers crossed.
As noted above, it’s also up in the air whether it’ll be a good purchase financially. The diesel added extra $$$ to the sticker price and it doesn’t seem to be saving me money at the pump. On the other hand, if it lasts longer and/or retains greater resale value, that could offset any prior imbalance.
Overall, though, so far this has been the right choice for me. I’ve spent up to 11 hours at a time in it (with numerous segments in in the 8-11 hour range) and it is both comfortable and safe. I emerge from it without feeling sore and it provides a wealth of information that prevents problems (e.g., blind spot notification). I would have switched from a Suburban to a different brand or model if there’d been compelling evidence to do so, but there was none, and I stand by that decision in hindsight.
I’m headed to South Carolina again this week. Later this summer it’ll be upstate New York, and then in September back to Missouri. There should be hundreds if not thousands of towing miles in between. I’ll report back if any of these assessments change.
